We Are New To RVing What Do We Need To Know?

by Pam
(Fishers, IN. USA)

What New RVers Need to Know

What New RVers Need to Know

We just purchased a 35ft BH 2010 Freelander. I'm puzzled about what we should or shouldn't put inside to make it our 2nd home and be safety conscious with our gross weight.

Any tips on how to set up housekeeping and be comfortable in an RV are welcomed.

ANSWER: First, let me congratulate on your new RV and also welcome you to the RV Lifestyle. When you first get into RVing, it can be exciting and a bit intimidating. I urge you to search our website for some of the information you are looking for.

Space does not allow me to tell you everything you need to know about RVing in answer to your question. But there are several books and videos out there that I would recommend you get a hold of that will help you immensely. First, there are two books that I highly recommend. They are:


The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing By Brent Peterson: Updated and revised, this guide is for the more than 30 million Americans who are living the RV lifestyle and the millions of others who are thinking about taking the plunge. It provides the necessary information to get the most out of the RV experience, including basic facts regarding the different types of RVs, advice on buying an RV, driving tips, information on how to choose a campground, and much more. There is also a Kindle Edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing.



So, You Want to be an RVer?: by John and Kathy Huggins: Have you ever been driving down the highway and seen an RV headed in the other direction and thought, “That could be us.”? Most people have. If you’re thinking or dreaming about becoming an RVer, then this is the book for you. In it you will find what we’ve learned (often the hard way) in over ten years of full-time RVing, but all the information is aimed at part timers and weekenders as well. We provide numerous tested links to the websites of those experts we look up to.

The advice we offer is
based on our own experience. We take you from doing the initial homework to choosing the right rig to the buying process, where to camp, and way beyond. We discuss what you need to have in your rig and why. If you are interested in budgeting for full-time RVing, communicating on the road, boondocking, or workamping, we discuss them at length, along with many other topics. We wind it up with a chapter on our most memorable lessons learned. Yes, that includes the infamous black water dance. This book would also make a great gift for a would-be RVer or for folks who wonder why we do this. There is also a Kindle Edition of So, you want to be an RVer?.

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RV Living in the 21st Century: The Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers By Peggi Mcdonald: RV Living in the 21st Century; The Essential Reference Guide for ALL RVers will quickly become your best friend as you explore North America. It combines basic timeless RV information new RVers need to know, plus seasoned RVers will value the numerous hints and tips covering everything from packing to stretching dollars to driving their unit.

There are also some great videos out there produced by "RV Expert" Mark Polk from RV Education 101. Take a look at the videos below as Mark explains what videos are available.

To instantly download the RV Education 101 Videos available visit the

RV Education 101 Video Download Store


 You
can click here to purchase DVD Copies of Mark's RV Education 101 videos.



With the information you will get from our website and the books and DVDs we recommend, you will be well on your way to becoming a well-educated RVer.

The next thing you have to do is go out there and start making some great RVing memories.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Comments for We Are New To RVing What Do We Need To Know?

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		1st thing I learned
by: CatCat

The first thing I learned about RVing was if you are staying at different RV camps, make reservations immediately. Popular places book up up to a year in advance.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Additional New RVer resource
by: Linda Segall



Don't Back into the Palm Tree: Real Life Lessons for New and Wannabe RVers

I just published the book I wish I had had when we bought our first RV five years ago. It is entitled, Don't Back into the Palm Tree: Real Life Lessons for New and Wannabe RVers, available on Amazon.com. This is a "confession" of our mistakes and recommendations for new and wannabe RVers and recounts the (mis)adventures from my blog, The Reluctant RoVer.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Tool Kit
by: Anonymous

Always take along a basic tool kit with you. Just because you may not be able to fix your own vehicle the person who stops to help you may be able to.
This is good advice a mechanic friend gave me when I first started out and has proven true several times.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Watch your weight
by: ROlsen

Watch your weights closely. I like to keep my weights 80% of what the maximum's are for the truck, but that is just my rule of thumb I have read many times. Just becuase your truck says it can tow 10K lbs, weigh everything at a certified scale to be sure. This falls in the realm of safety before all else. There are tons of resources on the Internet explaining how to ensure you are not over-grossed.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Safety First
by: Full-Timer

ALWAYS put your personal safety first. All else is secondary. Have a fire extinguisher for class A/B/C fires. Smoke alarm, carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, propane alarm, weather warning radio (battery-operated), good flashlights, severe weather clothing, first aid kit, medications, emergency supplies, back-up maps (don't put full trust in satellite navigation), personal protection devices (lots to choose from), roadside assistance plan (the best is Good Sam), and KEEP YOUR RIG IN SAFE, DEPENDABLE OPERATING CONDITION AT ALL TIMES!!!

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